MIGHTY PEKING
MAN'S REVIEW: After Xiang Rong's (David Chiang) father passes away,
he makes a promise to his mother and sister that he will earn money and
look after them. He takes up a job as a grocery store delivery boy where
he's constantly treated like shit by his boss. With no choice and lack
of any other working skill, Xiang deals with the job and continues to put
up with the harsh work environment.

One day, on
a routine delivery, he runs into a hood named Shi (Kong Do aka The Human
Testicle), who wants to recruit him into his gang of crooks. Xiang declines
his offer and is beaten up. After more encounters with Shi, Xiang decides
to learn kung fu so he can defend himself. With the help of Gen Lai (Ti
Lung), he is introduced to reputable kung fu teacher (Simon Yuen).

With his mind
on life's hardships and constant bullying by not only gangs, but also his
own boss, Xiang obsesses over his martial arts training. Mixing rage, determination,
and physical training, Xiang begins to master fighting styles faster than
any other student do and becomes a killing machine almost naturally.

It's during
another brawl with Shi during which he becomes victorious, that his uncanny
fighting ability catches the eye of a triad leader named Mr. Tou (Lo Dik)
who wants to use him as a personal assassin. At first, Xiang is skeptical
but when Mr. Tou reveals his lavish salary, he accepts; no questions asked.

What ensues
is a war between two crime bosses with Xiang as the key player in the middle
of it all. It is only a matter of time before Xiang rethinks his violent
lifestyle and questions his role in life. After admitting to his mother
about his deadly career, Xiang decides to turn himself in to the police.
Mr. Tou ultimately finds out about Xiang's change of heart and is threatened
that he will tell the police about his crime operations. Now that Xiang
and his mother's life are in jeopardy, he decides that he must do one more
thing before he turns himself in to the law; and that is to kill Mr. Tou.

"The Young
Rebel" is yet another coming of age tale of those good boy turned
gangster flicks made popular by Chang Cheh (ie "The Delinquent,"
"Generation Gap," and "Chinatown Kid") throughout the
1970s. Though it was produced under Chang Cheh's film company, "The
Young Rebel" was directed by Shaw star Ti Lung, who also guest stars.
By the end of the movie, you realize that Ti Lung's talents go beyond his
onscreen ability. Though not as well paced and easy moving as Chang Cheh's
similar themed films, "The Young Rebel" still holds its own.
In fact, if someone told me that Chang Cheh was the co-director, I wouldn't
be surprised at all.

"The Young
Rebel" plays as one big flashback; a structure style that would become
an ongoing fad years later in Hollywood films such as in "Pulp Fiction."
That alone gives the film a hip, groundbreaking edge that was probably
considered strange back then. Considering how the beginning and end of
the film reveal what makes sense, you realize how ingenious the idea is.
Between Ti Lung and I Kuang (the two credited screenwriters), I'm really
impressed.

There seems
to be some debate surrounding the film's choreography. The Celestial DVD
sleeve credits Simon Yuen as the fight choreographer, however, in the film's
actual credits, it lists Liu Chia Yung, Huang Pei Chi, and Chan Chaun as
the film's "Fighting Instructors." For a 1973 film, the fight
scenes seem to be more defined and swift than, say "The Angry Guest,"
which is of typical early 1970s Liu Chia Yung fare. Whoever was responsible
for the fight scenes did a damn good job, especially considering the time.

"The Young
Rebel" has a lot of action, but for the most part, the drama takes
up most of the space (David Chiang's character doesn't learn how to fight
until about halfway through the film). It's not as bloody as the average
Chang Cheh film of the time, but the hard-hitting detailed action makes
up for it.

Look for a
handful of cameos including ones from Sammo Hung, Simon Yuen, and an extended
one from Eddie Ko. Not only, music enthusiasts might get a kick out of
hearing Pink Floyd's "Time" which comes out of nowhere and surprising,
it fits in well with the movie.